Comprehensive Resource Guide on Concierge Medicine and Direct Primary Care Clinics Released

September 9, 2013, 9:31 pm

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New Book Outlines U.S. Services; Costs; Locations; Benefits; Specialties; Research; Discounts; and More To Educate Healthcare Consumers“The Patients Guide To Concierge Medicine and Direct-Pay Healthcare,” released by Concierge Medicine Today, is a comprehensive resource and introductory guide for anyone wanting to learn more about concierge medicine, direct primary care and cash-only medical clinics from a consumer/patient perspective. The book offers a comprehensive list of services and information, such as how to locate a doctor, costs at most doctors offices but also provides information on aspects of this unique form of healthcare of which may people are unaware.

Released by Concierge Medicine Today, the private-pay medical industry’s oldest news and information trade journal, Atlanta-based healthcare writers, Catherine Sykes and Michael Tetreault have released the 2013-2014 version in a practical question and answer format. Some of the topics include: The Cost of Concierge Medicine; What Is Direct Primary Care; Services Offered; Pro’s and Con’s; Insurance Compatibility; Health Benefits; Research and Data; What To Expect; The 41 Questions You Should Ask Before You Join; and more.

“The field of concierge medicine and direct primary care is still relatively young but the ideology pre-dates the telephone and even the Revolutionary War … whereby a doctor comes to your aid, day or night, there’s no-copay, deductible or appointment required,” says Michael Tetreault, Editor of Concierge Medicine Today. “Concierge Medicine physicians and direct-pay doctors stand in the gap for you. They’re reducing hospitalizations significantly, compatible with nearly every insurance plan in America and people are saving more money on their healthcare costs each year. More people are enrolling in high-deductible health insurance plans that cover major, unforeseen events, leaving the everyday expenses to the consumer-just like auto and homeowners' insurance.”

People typically choose a doctor based on a personal recommendation of a trusted friend or relative. The Patients Guide To Concierge Medicine and Affordable Direct-Pay Healthcare is available to help patients decide for themselves if this model of healthcare meets their needs. Regardless of what they might have heard or already know, this publication can help guide them through the decision-making process of choosing their next doctor.

“This book will educate healthcare consumers about the benefits, value and cost and help them to understand the role and responsibilities of a concierge doctor.” adds Catherine Sykes, co-author. “It gives people the tools and information they need to make an informed decision and find a doctor in order to get the best results. The Affordable Care Act will enable self-employed and self-insured individuals and companies to move their coverage to these doctors in a faster, more timely manner. With the introduction of mandated health insurance coverage, long lines at the doctor’s office and the uncertainty of keeping their physician, choosing a concierge doctor or direct-pay physician is a real, affordable and simple option for the families, companies and individuals who will be looking. This book is the first step to understanding this new form of healthcare.”

“The Patients Guide To Concierge Medicine and Affordable Direct-Pay Healthcare” is available for sale now at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and on Kindle eReaders. For more information, visit www.ConciergeMedicineToday.com.

Company Contact Information
Concierge Medicine Today
Michael Tetreault
4080 McGinnis Ferry Road
Suite 801
30005
770-455-1650

News and Press Release Distribution From I-Newswire.com Reported by i-Newswire.com 9 hours ago.

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Healthy Young Adults May Be Key To Obamacare's Success

September 10, 2013, 4:58 am

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By Sharon Begley
NEW YORK, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Korey Kormick, 29, has not had health insurance for at least a decade. His job, as a contract employee directing chess tournaments and coaching kids in the fundamentals of the game, doesn't offer it, and he hasn't been able to afford coverage on the individual market.
Feeling medically "invincible" - as the conventional wisdom holds 19-to-34-year-olds do - never had much to do with it. That is especially after he fell out the back of a pickup truck packed with chess equipment, breaking his arm in 13 places, on a recent trip through Alabama to a chess tournament.
"I'm looking forward to getting insurance because it hasn't been an option up until now," Kormick said of the new plans for 2014 coverage to be offered under President Barack Obama's healthcare reform. "I'm just hoping the cost is reasonable."
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,053 uninsured Americans, and detailed interviews with 51 of the respondents, shows that Kormick is not an outlier: Obamacare may attract enough of the young healthy adults it needs to buy insurance to offset the costs of covering sicker Americans and keep the system afloat financially.
While four in 10 of the uninsured of all ages support the 2010 law, according to the poll, the result indicated half of those 18 through 34 do so. Among the younger respondents, a little more than one-third have attempted to buy health insurance in the past, suggesting pent-up demand for the insurance plans to be sold through online exchanges in each state beginning Oct. 1.
One-third of young adults in the poll said they are "very" or "somewhat" likely to buy insurance through their state's exchange.
If half of that proportion of the nation's young and healthy follow through, the White House would easily meet its goal of getting 2.7 million young adults - out of about 16 million uninsured 19-to-29-year-olds - to buy Obamacare insurance for 2014.
The results are part of Reuters' ongoing online poll. Among all uninsured, the credibility interval, a measure of the poll's accuracy, was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
"Contrary to commonly held beliefs, young adults do want affordable health coverage," said Dr David Blumenthal, president of the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit that studies healthcare systems.
The young demographic is so pivotal to the success of Obamacare that one of the law's fiercest opponents, the libertarian group FreedomWorks, is running a campaign on social and traditional media aimed at persuading Americans in their 20s not to buy insurance on the exchanges.
Just a few months ago, many commentators thought that would be easy. Uninsured "young invincibles," went the thinking, would see little need to buy health coverage and would figure they had better uses for a few hundred dollars every month than paying insurance premiums.

CARROTS AND STICKS
Interviews with several dozen young adults suggest the instances where Obamacare will appeal to this group, tied to personal experience and the role of subsidies and penalties.
Lacking access to a doctor, veterinary technician April Garcia, 30, tries to diagnose herself based on what she knows about dogs and cats when she feels ill. When she had "horrible abdominal pains" recently, she ruled out appendicitis and a blocked colon, either of which could be fatal.
Because Garcia does not have insurance through her job at an animal hospital in Rockville, Maryland, she treated herself with pro-biotics for a more routine gastrointestinal upset, but was in pain for four days. She is following news about Maryland's exchange and hopes to get coverage.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found, as other surveys have, that a majority of the young uninsured are unaware of how the new law will affect them. But interviews with the respondents showed that many who had not heard of the exchanges or were disinclined to enroll did an about-face when presented with basic information about the new coverage.
In particular, learning that they would be fined for being uninsured in 2014 (1 percent of income, with a minimum of $95) is affecting young adults' thinking. At the same time, a majority are expected to qualify for government subsidies to purchase coverage based on income.
Barry Mall, 34, of Mamaroneck, New York, became uninsured when he lost a warehouse job two years ago. He has not gone to a doctor or dentist since, despite toothaches and occasional minor illnesses, which he waited out or treated with whatever he could buy without a prescription.
"The idea of paying a penalty and getting nothing for it seems worse than buying it," he said.
That fits with what researchers have found about consumer behavior. "We know from behavioral economics that people respond more to penalties than subsidies," said economist David Dranove of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. "This kind of quirk is most apparent in situations that people aren't used to," which describes buying health insurance after being uninsured.
Young Invincibles, a four-year-old nonprofit that is working to enroll 18-to-34-year olds in Obamacare policies, is counting on the fear of another penalty to spur enrollment. "In talking to young men we're emphasizing that if something goes terribly wrong (medically) they could bankrupt themselves and their family," said Rory O'Sullivan, the group's director of policy and research. "We're optimistic we'll see significant uptake by this group" in Obamacare insurance.
Young adults who are already staring into a financial abyss for medical reasons may be especially receptive to this pitch. Alex Manley, 25, of Washington, D.C., was injured in a car accident that nearly destroyed his eye nine years ago. "I need to get surgery soon," he said. "A stitch is coming loose so it's an open wound and it can get infected. I can't see well." The eye surgery, he believes, would cost $15,000 to $20,000.

HOLDOUTS
To be sure, skepticism and even antipathy remains high in a country so politically divided over the law that some congressional Republicans have threatened a government shutdown rather than allowing Obamacare reforms to proceed.
Joanna Nguyen, 30, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, is the only one in her family without insurance: her children are insured through the government's Children's Health Insurance Program, and her husband has coverage through his job as a supervisor at a loan company. They can't afford the $600 per month to cover her, too, and Nguyen opposes the healthcare law's requirement that Americans obtain insurance.
"It's still not going to be affordable and I don't think we should be forced into purchasing healthcare," she said. She doesn't intend to buy coverage on Pennsylvania's exchange.
Ira Barth, 24, of Dover, New Jersey, a classical music singer and special needs caretaker, last had insurance in June 2012. He isn't sure if he will buy insurance on New Jersey's exchange: "I want to see how affordable it is. If it's going to be more expensive than paying for one or two doctor visits a year, I don't know if I'll sign on for it."
When young adults who initially told Reuters they are unlikely to buy insurance learn for the first time about government subsidies for doing so, many re-thought their position.
People will be eligible for subsidies to defray the cost of premiums if their income is less than four times the official poverty level, or $45,960 for an individual and $94,200 for a family of four. A subsidy calculator from the Kaiser Family Foundation is available at: http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/.
Tanya McIntyre, 29, a mother of two in Asheville, North Carolina, and her truck-driver husband just got approved for food stamps; they can't afford a car, much less health insurance. McIntyre said she does "not agree with" the healthcare reform law's requirement that people buy insurance. "We can barely afford to survive. Being forced to have insurance, I do not agree with that. They're trying to force it on people who it's their last nickel and dime."
A family like hers will likely qualify for $8,400 in subsidies toward a $9,900 annual premium, and that might be enough to overcome her ideological objections to Obamacare. They will buy coverage on North Carolina's exchange, McIntyre said, "if we can find one cheap enough." (Reporting by Sharon Begley, Lewis Krauskopf, Julie Steenhuysen and Yasmeen Abutaleb; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Leslie Gevirtz) Reported by Huffington Post 2 hours ago.

Alcott HR and Advantage Payroll Form Strategic Alliance

September 10, 2013, 12:32 am

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Advantage Payroll Services Long Island (liadvantage.com), the New York region’s largest independently owned and operated payroll and tax processing provider and Alcott HR (alcottgroup.com), one of the nation’s leading Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) providing a total Human Resources (HR) solution, announced today that the two companies have formed a strategic alliance.

Freeport, NY (PRWEB) September 10, 2013

Due to challenging economic conditions, businesses across the New York Metro area and beyond find themselves underserved in terms of human resources expertise and services and they are looking for effective, affordable and scalable solutions. Alcott HR and Advantage Payroll have come together to provide a greater array of options for businesses. The two firms will share leads, co-market and work to continue to educate businesses about the cost savings and risk management aspects associated with outsourcing payroll, HR, workers’ compensation, benefits, time and attendance and other related functions.

“Some industry watchers and competitors may think that our companies are rivals. In reality, we recognize that by having an alliance, our current and prospective clients, as well as both of our organizations, will benefit. We will be able to share leads and direct business to each other. Our goal is to keep outsourced HR and payroll business here on Long Island. When our firms serve businesses from the region, clients receive better service and jobs are created or maintained,” said Rob Basso President and Founder of Advantage Payroll Services.

According to Alcott HR President and Co-founder Lou Basso, “We’ve had an informal relationship with Advantage Payroll for the past five years. Our strategic alliance gives both Advantage Payroll and Alcott HR a formal way of offering clients more options so that they can select what best accommodates their needs at any given stage in their organizations’ growth.

He continued, “It is getting more and more complicated for organizations to manage various employee-related and HR functions on their own. Health care reform and its many regulations have further intensified the situation. Our services and approaches will alleviate some of their burden by giving companies easy access to the best solutions.”

“Advantage Payroll Services and Alcott HR share a common business philosophy which places clients first. We recognize the strengths each company brings to the table and this new formal arrangement will allow clients to have access to cost-effective and scalable solutions. This alliance will give both organizations a competitive advantage in the New York Metropolitan market and beyond,” added Rob Basso.

For more information about the services offered by Alcott HR and Advantage Payroll Services Long Island visit alcottgroup.com and liadvantage.com.

About LI Advantage Payroll

Headquartered in Freeport New York with office in Hauppauge, New York LI Advantage Payroll is the New York/Long Island metropolitan region's largest independently owned payroll and HR service provider. The company has grown each year since it was founded by Rob Basso. Today the company has a staff of close to 50. Each year the company processes over $1 Billion in payroll. Servicing the region for seventeen years and the nation for more than thirty, Advantage Payroll is strongly committed to delivering the best in customer service, payroll, human resources and time and attendance management while playing a pivotal role in various community outreach initiatives. LI Advantage Payroll has the highest customer satisfaction rating among payroll providers in the region. For more information contact LI Advantage Payroll at (516) 931-8400 or visit Advantage online at http://www.liadvantage.com

About Alcott HR

Alcott HR represents the highest standards of service quality and leading edge technologies within the PEO industry. Alcott has earned the prestigious Employers Services Assurance Corporation (E.S.A.C)., (http://www.peoreliability.org/alcotthrgroup) certification -- the equivalent of what FDIC is to the banking industry for the PEO industry. To achieve certification, a PEO must meet stringent financial, professional and ethical standards. Upon meeting these criteria, The Company joins an elite group of PEOs nationwide whose clients are covered by an $11 million security bond. In addition, Alcott became one of the first PEOs in the state (New York) to gain two certifications by the Certification Institute (http://www.certificationinstitute.org); one for workers’ compensation best practices and another, for timely payment of state and federal payroll taxes, contributions to employee retirement plans and payment of health insurance premiums – both critical elements in the PEO’s role as a total HR solution. The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) supported these Certification Programs primarily as a means to enhance the industry’s credibility in this key service area. For more information, visit http://www.alcottgroup.com or http://www.facebook.com/Alcott.HR.Group Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions Outlines How The Approaching Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Can Be A Lucrative Opportunity For Insurance Agents

September 10, 2013, 12:17 am

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Online health insurance exchange expands earning potential for insurance agents looking to assist clients enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplace that begins October 1st.

Bedford Park, Illinois (PRWEB) September 10, 2013

“If selling health insurance was not part of your business plan, it’s time to take advantage of what could be the largest opportunity to expand your agency’s book of business” began Sandra J. Horn, President, ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions. “With one of the most anticipated milestones of the Affordable Care Act just weeks away, the October 1st open enrollment period, it is not too late for P&C agents or life and health agents to reach out and provide their clients the recourses needed to get them enrolled in an Obamacare health plan.”

ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions is a national web-based broker that provides the tools and complete infrastructure necessary to make the process of shopping and enrolling for an Obamacare plan easy. ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solution is staffed with experienced licensed insurance professionals who are ready to assist agents as well as their customers understand the Affordable Care Act and how to best go about getting coverage on the exchange.

Bill Hallberg, Chief Enrollment Officer, ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions, explained, “Many people will contact their insurance agents for direction. However, agents may not have the staff or hours in day needed for this massive movement of business. ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions will prove to be an asset for insurance agents looking to provide a needed resource for their clients and earn additional revenue.”

The company’s enrollment call center and innovative website, ACAenroll.com, will provide the tools needed to calculate subsidies, quote all carriers in the Marketplace, and enroll on-line. Available nationwide, ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions represents major carriers such as Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Humana, Anthem, Kaiser, as well as many other established health insurance carriers.

About ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions:
Headquartered in Bedford Park, Illinois, ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions is a Health Insurance Marketplace (aka Obamacare) enrollment provider created to assist subsidy eligible individuals and part time employees to obtain health insurance throughout the country at a low cost in many scenarios. Effective October 1, 2013, ACAenroll.com and the company’s call center, will be able to assist the enrollees when the health insurance marketplace opens for enrollment. Go to ACAenroll.com or contact 1-800-342-0631 for more information. Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

Third Party Administrator Walks the Talk as it Receives Gold Well Workplace Award & Joins Ranks of "America’s Healthiest Companies"

September 10, 2013, 5:05 am

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Demonstrating its long-term commitment to employee health and well-being, Wisconsin-based Cypress Benefit Administrators recently received the Gold Well Workplace Award. This recognition was presented by the Wellness Council of America and its local Wellness Council of Wisconsin affiliate.

Appleton, WI (PRWEB) September 10, 2013

As a third party administrator (TPA) that focuses on offering clients innovative tools for maximizing employee health, Cypress Benefit Administrators was recently recognized for its exemplary wellness efforts within its own workplace.

Cypress received the Gold Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and its local Wellness Council of Wisconsin affiliate. The recognition as one of "America’s Healthiest Companies" is presented to organizations that demonstrate quality and excellence in promoting worksite health.

WELCOA first began its awards program in 1991. To be eligible for an award, companies must have a results-oriented well workplace program in place that meets a rigorous set of criteria outlined by seven benchmarks. These standards include creating cohesive wellness teams, collecting data to drive health efforts, choosing appropriate interventions and more.

Tom Doney, president and CEO of Cypress, said earning the Well Workplace Award is a significant accomplishment for the TPA headquartered in Wisconsin. "We are dedicated to providing our clients with forward-thinking programs that keep their workforce healthy, and we are just as diligent about using those same tools internally." Doney added, "Keeping the costs of health benefits contained has a lot to do with being proactive about employee health."

In recognition of the award, executive director of the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, Jessica Raddemann, said, "Cypress worked hard to successfully meet the rigorous standards set by the Well Workplace process."

The Gold Well Workplace Award is one of several honors Cypress has received in recent months. The company was also presented with a 2013 Business of the Year Award from the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Additionally, Cypress made Inc. magazine’s 2013 500|5000 list. It was ranked #38 among the Top 100 Insurance Companies in the U.S. and #65 for Top Wisconsin Companies. Cypress was the only TPA in the state to make the Inc. list.

Since starting business in 2000, Cypress Benefit Administrators, a privately held company headquartered in Appleton, Wis., has evolved into more than a third party administrator (TPA) by pioneering the way toward cost containment in health benefits. Cypress is the country’s first TPA to bring claims administration, consumer driven health plans and proven cost control measures together into one package. Its customized employee benefit packages combine an appropriate mix of health insurance options that allow for adaptability to the ever-changing healthcare environment and that make sense for employers of 50 to 18,000 throughout the United States. For more information on Cypress Benefit Administrators with offices in Portland and Salem, Ore., Omaha, Neb. and Colorado Springs, Col., visit http://www.cypressbenefit.com. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.

New Yorkers Prioritize Doctor Access Over Having Lowest-Cost Health Plan, New Survey Shows

September 10, 2013, 5:09 am

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BRONX, N.Y., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New Yorkers are savvy consumers when it comes to discerning the most important services offered by a health insurance plan.  A recent survey of more than 4,200 adults throughout New York City and surrounding counties, conducted by the... Reported by PR Newswire 2 hours ago.

In Honor of Friday the 13th (Sept. 13), Macabre Pet Names Revealed

September 10, 2013, 6:02 am

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Veterinary Pet Insurance Analyzes Its Database to Find Scary Movie Inspired Pet Monikers

Brea, CA (PRWEB) September 10, 2013

In honor of the initial Friday the 13th of 2013 (Sept. 13), Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) analyzed its database of more than 500,000 insured pets to find out how many pet owners opted for macabre monikers for naming their furry friend. In addition to possessing more than 3,000 black cats in its database, VPI, the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, has a variety of dogs and cats with monikers that match some of the scariest movie characters in the history of cinema.

Below is a list of the most common pet names in VPI’s database that were inspired by spine-chilling movie characters (total number of pets sharing that name in parenthesis):

Most Common Pet Names Inspired by Scary Movie Characters
1.    Jack (2218) – “The Shining”
2.    Ripley (175) – “Alien”
3.    Norman (136) – “Psycho”
4.    Freddy (125) – “Nightmare on Elm Street”
5.    Salem (68) – “Salem’s Lot”
6.    Cujo (61) – “Cujo”
7.    Michael (47) – “Halloween”
8.    Carrie (32) – “Carrie”
9.    Damien (30) – “The Omen”
10.    Jason (25) – “Friday the 13th”
11.    Chucky (23) – “Child’s Play”
12.    Regan (23) – “The Exorcist”
13.    Hannibal (14) – “Silence of the Lambs”
14.    Jaws (8) – “Jaws”
15.    Voldemort (1) – “Harry Potter”

Among the other spooky pet names in the VPI database are “Black Shadow,” “Bones,” “Creepy,” and “Ghost.” To view some of the most creative monikers selected for VPI’s Top 10 Most Unusual Pet Names of 2013, visit http://www.wackypetnames.com.

About Veterinary Pet Insurance

With more than 500,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. / DVM Insurance Agency (VPI) is a member of the Nationwide Insurance family of companies and is the oldest and largest provider of cat and dog insurance in the United States. Since 1982, VPI has helped provide pet owners with peace of mind and is committed to being the trusted choice of America’s pet lovers.

VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. CareGuard® coverage for routine care is available for an additional premium. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, one in three Fortune 500 companies offers VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit. Policies are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2012); National Casualty Company (all other states), Madison, WI, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2012). Pet owners can find VPI Pet Insurance on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com. Reported by PRWeb 38 minutes ago.

Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on HRA Health Insurance Subsidies

September 10, 2013, 7:05 am

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How employers can pair an HRA with health insurance subsidies for cost savings.

Park City, Utah (PRWEB) September 10, 2013

Today, Zane Benefits, the number one online small business health benefits solution, published new information on HRA health insurance subsidies.

According to Zane Benefits’ website, many small employers are combining Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), individual health insurance, and the new health insurance subsidies to create affordable health benefits that employees love.

Employers can help employees get access to these discounts by offering a standalone Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) instead of traditional group health insurance.

With this approach, an employer would follow these four easy steps:

(1) Not offer a traditional group health insurance plan.

(2) Offer employees defined contribution health benefits by setting up a standalone HRA plan.

(3) Assign a health insurance broker to help employees enroll in health insurance through the state exchange, and receive a discount via a health insurance subsidy.

(4) Reimburse employees tax-free on payroll, after employees submit proof of their health insurance or medical expenses to their HRA provider.

If employees meet certain income requirements, and do not have access to an affordable employer-sponsored or government health insurance plan, then they will be eligible for the health insurance subsidies.

Eligibility is based on a standard called the "federal poverty level" (FPL). The employee's subsidy will cap the cost of their health insurance between 2% and 9.5% of his or her annual income.

Employees not eligible for the subsidies, because of household income or access to coverage under a spouse's health insurance plan or government program, can still use the HRA for their non-exchange health insurance premium expenses and/or other eligible medical expenses.

Click here to read the full article.

About Zane Benefits

Zane Benefits was founded in 2006 to provide a revolutionized SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) administration platform ("ZaneHRA") for Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and defined contribution health care. The flagship software provides a 100% paperless administration experience to small businesses and insurance professionals that want to offer better health benefits without a traditional group health insurance plan at lower costs. For more information about ZaneHRA, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 1 day ago.

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Breakthrough AffloVest now reimbursed by Medicare and private health insurance

September 10, 2013, 8:18 am

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AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AffloVest, the first-ever portable High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) vest, is now approved for Medicare and private health insurance reimbursement.  Millions of Americans with respiratory disease can benefit from the... Reported by PR Newswire 22 hours ago.

Oklahoma Insurance Department: ObamaCare Causes Oklahoma Health Insurance Rates to Skyrocket

September 10, 2013, 10:50 am

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak said Tuesday that Oklahomans should prepare to pay more for health insurance in the federally facilitated marketplace mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). "Our fears have been confirmed,"... Reported by PR Newswire 20 hours ago.

Health Insurance Ads Range From Weighty To Whimsical

September 10, 2013, 1:41 pm

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States are taking very different marketing tacks to get residents to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. In their own ways, each state is trying hard to make insurance appealing to uninsured young people. Reported by NPR 17 hours ago.

What you need to tell your employees about the health insurance marketplace

September 10, 2013, 3:53 pm

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As the health insurance marketplaces prepare to launch next month, employers need to be aware they are responsible to inform their employees about their new health coverage option. Although we still don't know what the health insurance marketplace in Texas will look like, we've been assured by the federal government that the exchanges will be ready to launch on Oct. 1. While the mandate that requires companies that employ 50 or more workers provide health insurance or pay a penalty was delayed… Reported by bizjournals 15 hours ago.

Exercise Plus Healthy Eating Equals Experient Health’s Formula for Living Well

September 11, 2013, 12:01 am

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In addition to trimming your waistline, regular exercise and healthy eating will help you feel better, think more clearly and live a longer, healthier life.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) September 11, 2013

In addition to trimming your waistline, regular exercise combined with healthy eating helps people feel better, think more clearly and live a longer, healthier life, Experient Health wrote in its latest post in the Living Well Blog series.

"Don’t begin your exercise program too ambitiously," Experient Health wrote. "The key to success is to start slowly and increase the difficulty of your workouts as you become more fit. Those who overdo it often experience muscle soreness, become discouraged and quit."

Exercise should be fairly comfortable for you.

"Your pace should be just below the point at which you start to breathe quickly. Exercising at this pace produces two desirable results: it mobilizes fat burning and helps you develop endurance. This means that for maximum fat burning, longer, slower exercise is more beneficial than short, strenuous workouts."

Reasonably fit people exercising at the proper pace should burn between 400 and 600 calories per hour during any aerobic exercise.

Counting calories also means trimming the fat, Experient Health wrote.

"The media is full of varying reports on how to lose or maintain weight," Experient Health wrote. "Most experts agree that eating a well-balanced diet low in fat is the key to losing weight. Since fat contains more than twice the calories of carbohydrates or protein, high-fat food equates to higher calories."

While lowering fat intake is important, it is also important to monitor calorie intake.

While an ideal caloric intake depends on age, body size and level of activity, generally, women ages 23 to 50 need an average of 2,000 calories per day, while men in the same age group require about 2,400 calories per day.

Read more in Experient Health’s Living Well Blog series, which covers topics ranging from healthy recipes, conservation, vaccination seasons, exercise tips, healthcare news and more.

About Experient Health:

For years, Experient Health, a Virginia Farm Bureau company, has helped people find the right insurance coverage and get the most for their health care dollars. The Richmond, VA.-based group is dedicated to providing high quality health insurance options to customers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. As a result, its consultants, with an average of more than 20 years experience, are intimately familiar with the states’ provider networks, products and regulations.

Representing the top national insurance carriers, Experient Health provides customers with multiple policy options designed to meet wellness needs and financial requirements.

Experient Health grew out of Virginia Farm Bureau and is a "hometown agency" in that it operates a network of more than 100 offices. However, it boasts the resources and technology of larger firms.

Consultants are available online, via phone and through their offices.

Learn more at http://www.experienthealth.com, utilize the online health insurance quote calculator or contact a consultant directly at 855.677.6580. Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

Sarah Palin Revives 'Death Panels' Lie About Obamacare (Video)

September 11, 2013, 1:19 am

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Health
Politics
Weird News
Sarah Palin Obamacare

Former half-term Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has revived her debunked lie that Obamacare contains "death panels."

Palin's "death panels" claim was named "lie of the year" by Politifact.com in 2009, which her "Sarah Pac" organization proudly mentions in a new video (below) posted on YouTube.

The video falsely claims that DNC chairman Howard Dean agrees with Palin on the "death panels," which he has never stated, even though Fox News reported that he was in agreement with her.

Dean, who has always supported universal health care, has been critical of the Independent Payment Advisory Board in Obamacare, but has never claimed there are "death panels" in Obamacare.

In her video, Palin also tries to link Sarah Murnaghan, a ten-year-old girl who needed a lung transplant, to the scary future of Obamacare, which will provide health coverage for an estimated 30 million uninsured Americans.

Oddly, Palin makes no mention (in the video) of people who were actually denied health coverage by health insurance companies and died from their diseases.

Palin, like many Tea Party Republicans, has called for shutting down the U.S. government on Sept. 30 in order to defund Obamacare, which Americans will be able to sign up for on Oct. 1.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Palin wrote: "Enough of this foreign fiasco distraction. Get back to work. It is time to bomb Obamacare."

Apparently the "foreign fiasco distraction" that Palin was referring to were the deaths of hundreds of Syrians reportedly gassed by the Syrian government.

Sources: Facebook, YouTube, Politifact.com

1 Reported by Opposing Views 5 hours ago.

Sports Medicine Practitioners in the US Industry Market Research Report Now Available from IBISWorld

September 11, 2013, 1:09 am

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Perceived as a luxury service for elite athletes in the past, sports medicine has gained wide public acceptance and has become more accessible to most Americans in recent years; in the next five years, increased promotion and government support for sports participation, as well as healthcare reform provisions and technological advancements, will drive industry growth. For these reasons, industry research firm IBISWorld has added a report on the Sports Medicine Practitioners industry to its growing industry report collection.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 11, 2013

Perceived as a luxury service for elite athletes in the past, sports medicine has gained wide public acceptance and has become more accessible to most Americans in recent years. Sports medicine is a special branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries and illnesses resulting from sports, exercise or recreational activities. “Although the Sports Medicine Practitioners industry has been relatively resilient, even expanding during the recession, it was not completely shielded from the recession's effect on consumers,” says IBISWorld industry analyst Anna Son. “The recession resulted in widespread unemployment, which led to falling disposable income and, consequently, a drop in health insurance coverage.” Nevertheless, increased participation in sporting activities has underpinned demand for industry services, as the risk of injuries increases with greater participation in sports. During the five years to 2013, IBISWorld estimates that industry revenue will increase at an average annual rate of 2.8% to total $20.9 billion, including a 3.9% rise during 2013.

Over the past five years, sports medicine practitioners have implemented a number of profit-boosting techniques. “In order to combat mounting wage costs, industry operators have used more assistants and aides, whose wages make up a significantly smaller fraction of sports medicine practitioners' wages,” says Son. “Additionally, many practitioners have been combining services with other physicians to reduce the costs of delivering services and ease the effects of escalating competition.” As a result of these cost-saving measures, operating profit is expected to increase from about 8.8% of revenue in 2008 to an estimated 10.4% in 2013.

The Sports Medicine Practitioners industry is highly fragmented. Sports medicine services are not highly differentiable, nor can they be mass produced or distributed; this, in turn, creates minimal benefits to growing in size. Relatively low barriers to entry also encourage new competitors to join the industry, which places downward pressure on pricing and prevents any one company from dominating the market.

During the next five years, increased promotion and government support for sports participation, as well as healthcare reform provisions and technological advancements, will drive industry growth. Rising concerns over high obesity rates will bolster participation in sporting activities that will subsequently increase demand for sports medicine services. The introduction of new minimally invasive techniques, which enable services to be performed quickly and treatment to be delivered more effectively and accurately, will further underpin demand for sports medicine services. For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Sports Medicine Practitioners in the US industry report page.

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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

Establishments in this industry provide health and special services that apply medical and scientific knowledge to prevent, recognize, manage and rehabilitate injuries related to sport, exercise or recreational activity.
Industry Performance
Executive Summary
Key External Drivers
Current Performance
Industry Outlook
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Supply Chain
Products & Services
Major Markets
Globalization & Trade
Business Locations
Competitive Landscape
Market Share Concentration
Key Success Factors
Cost Structure Benchmarks
Barriers to Entry
Major Companies
Operating Conditions
Capital Intensity
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Annual Change
Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.
Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772. Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

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You're the Boss Blog: A Health Insurance Offer for the Busy Start-Up

September 11, 2013, 5:18 am

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Young Entrepreneur Council says it wants to save business owners the time and effort of figuring out health insurance. But there may be a price. Reported by NYTimes.com 1 hour ago.

Trader Joe's To Drop Health Coverage For Part-Time Workers Under Obamacare: Memo

September 11, 2013, 5:32 am

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After extending health care coverage to many of its part-time employees for years, Trader Joe's has told workers who log fewer than 30 hours a week that they will need to find insurance on the Obamacare exchanges next year, according to a confidential memo from the grocer's chief executive.

In the memo to staff dated Aug. 30, Trader Joe's CEO Dan Bane said the company will cut part-timers a check for $500 in January and help guide them toward finding a new plan under the Affordable Care Act. The company will continue to offer health coverage to workers who carry 30 hours or more on average.

The law mandates that companies with 50 employees or more offer coverage to such full-time employees, though the Obama administration has chosen to delay that rule for a year.

Trader Joe's has won kudos for offering its health care, dental and vision plans to part-time workers at a reasonable price -- a rarity in an industry known for low pay and scant benefits. But with low-wage workers eligible for tax subsidies to buy health insurance next year, the company has apparently calculated that offering medical coverage to part-timers who work 18 hours or more is no longer worth the cost.

"Depending on income you may earn outside of Trader Joe's" -- i.e., another job -- "we believe that with the $500 from Trader Joe's and the tax credits available under the ACA, many of you should be able to obtain health care coverage at very little if any net cost to you," Bane wrote in the memo.

The company told HuffPost it would not confirm or deny the existence of the memo. In a statement, a spokeswoman said, "We have made some changes to our healthcare coverage that we believe will be a benefit to all Crew Members working in our stores. We are committed to providing all our Crew Members with benefits that are among the best in our industry."

Many retailers do offer part-time employees health care coverage, but at prohibitively expensive rates that swallow much of a worker's paycheck. Trader Joe's wouldn't comment on how high the premiums are for its part-time employees or how much of its part-time workforce opts for the plan.

A current Trader Joe's worker described the coverage she'll likely lose as "one of the best parts about the job." (The employee requested anonymity since she isn't authorized to speak to the media.) She said she pays only $35 per paycheck, or $70 per month, for a plan that generally covers 80 percent of her medical costs, carries a reasonable $500 deductible and includes prescription drug coverage.

"There are several folks I work with who are there for the insurance as much as anything, mostly folks with young families," she said. "I can say that when I opened and read the letter yesterday my reaction was pure panic, followed quickly by anger."

The employee said she averages about 28 hours per week and worries she won't make the cutoff for company-based coverage. Whether workers hit the 30-hour threshold and become eligible for the company plan will be determined by their work schedules over the course of the next three months, the memo explains. For those who may be on the cusp, the memo left little hope that they can pack in extra hours to meet the requirement.

"It is important to note ... we do not create our weekly schedules with healthcare eligibility in mind," Bane wrote. "Rather, we will continue to create weekly schedules that are solely focused on supporting the customer experience."

The worker, who took home less than $20,000 last year, might be able to find a similar plan at a comparable cost under Obamacare, judging from a subsidy calculator. But there's no guarantee, other than uncertainty.

"I still have so much anxiety over this, worrying will I have coverage, will it be equivalent, and how do I factor this into my budget," she said. "I'm a full-time student living alone. Everything in my budget is extremely tight. This is something that's throwing a wrench into everything."

While the stakes for workers aren't clear, the benefits to Trader Joe's under the new arrangement are obvious. The implementation of Obamacare provides an opportune moment for the company to get in line with less generous competitors, and the savings the company finds in dropping coverage for part-timers will almost certainly outstrip the $500 it will give employees to defray what they end up paying on the exchanges.

An earlier memo to staff in May sounded a rosier note on health coverage. Bane said the company had "made a decision to make minimal and only necessary changes to your costs" for health care until Obamacare regulations were finalized next year. He also noted that the company would give workers a 10 percent discount on their monthly coverage for the second half of the year.

He did, however, inform workers that corporate contributions to employee retirement accounts would be drastically scaled back, by a third for some and two-thirds for others. Bane argued that the company's "very generous" contribution rates had been too high for the industry.

"Whole Foods and Costco (two public companies) make retirement plan contributions that are significantly less than Trader Joe's," he wrote. Reported by Huffington Post 1 hour ago.

Six Tax Tips for Small Business Owners

September 11, 2013, 6:41 am

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Texas CPAs Offer Tips to Minimize Taxes

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) September 11, 2013

There are 23 million small businesses in America, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Although each business is unique, you can be sure that they have a common desire to minimize their taxes and make the most of the deductions for which they qualify. The Texas Society of CPAs offers these tips on how to achieve those goals.

Record as You Go
It’s essential to keep a log of your expenses and potential deductions throughout the year. You can deduct your legitimate business costs from your business income. Tracking them as they happen ensures not only that you have an accurate count of what they are, but also that you’ll have less trouble pulling them together when tax time comes.

Take Your Deductions
Are you aware of all the deductions that businesses are legally allowed? If not, you may be missing out. Some common deductions for small business owners include entertainment, travel, meals, capital assets, home office and health insurance. If you are going to claim travel miles, meals and entertainment deductions, you must keep adequate records including receipts and other documentary evidence.

Planning to enhance or upgrade your equipment? You can deduct up to $500,000 in equipment purchases as long as the business spends $2 million or less for equipment for the year. The cost of repairs may also be deductible. If you’re self-employed, you may also qualify to deduct moving expenses if you are moving due to a change in your job or business location. If you want to learn more about the deductions for which you qualify, be sure to contact your CPA.

Know the Red Flags
You should claim all deductions to which you’re entitled. However, there are certain steps that can raise a red flag at the IRS, so it’s best to be aware of them so that you can either avoid them or be prepared for any possible questions down the road. For one thing, if your business is actually considered a hobby by the IRS, allowable deductions cannot exceed the gross receipts for the activity. Profitability is one deciding factor in making that determination. If your business does not make a profit in at least three of the last five tax years, it will be considered a hobby.

Taking the home office deduction can also draw IRS attention. Keep in mind that the office must be used regularly and exclusively for conducting business. If you have a qualifying home office, you can deduct related expenses for that portion of your home, including real estate taxes, mortgage interest, utilities and insurance. Here’s a costly small business mistake: Using the payroll taxes that are withheld from employees to pay for business operations instead of sending them on to the Internal Revenue Service. If you don’t submit those taxes to the Service, you could be subject to criminal and civil sanctions including penalties and fines. Another big stumbling block for small businesses: improperly classifying an employee as an independent contractor may result in to paying penalties and back payroll taxes.

Take the Credits You Are Due
In addition to deductions, there are many credits that can whittle down your tax bill if you qualify for them. One example is the small business health care tax credit, which can currently be up to 35%. There’s also a tax credit for business owners who hired qualified, unemployed veterans who began work after November 22, 2011, but before January 1, 2014.

Consult Your CPA
Does navigating the tax rules sound complicated? Your CPA can help. Turn to him or her with all your questions about the tax or other financial issues that affect your business.

About TSCPA
TSCPA (http://www.tscpa.org) is a nonprofit, voluntary, professional organization representing Texas CPAs. The society has 20 local chapters statewide and has more than 27,000 members, one of the largest in-state memberships of any state CPA society in the United States. TSCPA is committed to serving the public interest with programs that advance the highest standards of ethics and practice within the CPA profession. Reported by PRWeb 6 minutes ago.

Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on Health Insurance and Medicaid Eligibility

September 11, 2013, 7:05 am

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Health insurance and Medicaid eligibility, as outlined in the small area health insurance estimates.

Park City, Utah (PRWEB) September 11, 2013

Today, Zane Benefits, the number one online small business health benefits solution, published new information on health insurance and medicaid eligibility.

According to Zane Benefits’ website, the U.S. Census Bureau recently released a Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE) report using data from 2011 outlining how uninsured population may be impacted by the ACA provisions being implemented in 2014 and the effect it has had so far.

One of the main goals of the ACA is to get more Americans insured under affordable health insurance policies that cover a broad range of benefits. This report shows where some of the problems lie, and estimates how many people may be eligible for financial aid as a part of the health reform law.

Across all states, the county-level median uninsured rate for people under 19 years old was 7.7%.

The median uninsured rate for working-age adults, aged 18-64 years old was 21.5%. There are more uninsured working-age adults than uninsured children.

The percentage of uninsured adults by county ranges from 3.9% to 52.5%, while the percentage of uninsured children by county ranges from 1.3% to 32.2%.

Low income groups had higher uninsured rates. the percent of uninsured persons age 65 and under varies from 4.9% to 25.7% by county. But this percentage is related directly to income.

Those aged 65 and under making less than or equal to 400% IPR had uninsured rates between 7.9% and 33.3%. Those making less than or equal to 250% IPR see a range of 9.4% to 38% uninsured. And of those making less than or equal to 138% IPR, 9.3% to 40% are uninsured.

From 2008 to 2009, 32 states saw significant changes in their uninsured rates. Of those 32 states, 29 of them saw their uninsured rates go up.

From 2010-2011, 21 states saw a significant change in the percent uninsured. That year, only 2 states saw an increase in uninsured population. 19 states had a significant decrease in their percent of uninsured.

The 0-400% IPR group provides estimates of the uninsured population that may qualify for the tax subsidies or for Medicaid. The 0-138% IPR group provides estimates of the uninsured population that may qualify, in participating states, for Medicaid.

Click here to read the full article.

About Zane Benefits

Zane Benefits was founded in 2006 to provide a revolutionized SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) administration platform ("ZaneHRA") for Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and defined contribution health care. The flagship software provides a 100% paperless administration experience to small businesses and insurance professionals that want to offer better health benefits without a traditional group health insurance plan at lower costs. For more information about ZaneHRA, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 1 day ago.

How Do You Know If Health Care Reform Impacts You?

September 11, 2013, 9:06 am

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Health care reform, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, has become a frequent topic of conversation in the halls of Congress, in the news, and for families sitting around the dinner table.

Under the new law, most Americans will be required to have health insurance in 2014. So how do you know if health care reform impacts you? I'm here to help you understand the basics.
*How Does Health Care Reform Impact Me if I Already Have Insurance?
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If you already have health insurance, you're all set. Not much will change if you're currently enrolled in a health care plan through your employer, Medicare or Medicaid, or if you are on your parents' insurance plan.

Can I shop for other insurance if I'm already insured? If you have insurance you purchased yourself, you may be able to get a more affordable plan through the new online Health Insurance Marketplace, where you can compare health plans and purchase the one that fits your needs as early as October 1, 2013.

Can I remain covered under my parents' insurance? If you are on your parents' insurance, you can remain on the plan until you turn 26 even if you don't live with them.

Do I qualify for Medicaid? If you're under the age of 65, you can get coverage through Medicaid if your yearly income is less than roughly $15,300, or $31,155 for a family of four. If you're eligible, you get free or low-cost care by applying through the Medicaid website.

*How Does Health Care Reform Impact Me if I Am Uninsured?
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If you're one of the estimated 30 million Americans who currently do not have health insurance, there are a few key facts you should be aware of. Beginning October 1, 2013, you can shop for and purchase health insurance through the online Health Insurance Marketplace. The marketplace is designed to give you a side-by-side comparison of the various insurance options so you can purchase the plan that fits your health care needs and budget.

What if I can't afford to buy health insurance? To help pay for the cost of health insurance, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the government, called a subsidy. Your eligibility is generally determined by your household income and family size. The subsidy is a health care tax credit, but unlike most tax credits, you won't have to wait until you file your taxes to receive it. The subsidy will be applied directly to your insurance premium when you purchase a plan through the online marketplace.

What happens if I don't buy health insurance? Most people will be required to have health insurance by March 31, 2014. If you don't have insurance by that date, you could receive a penalty on your 2014 tax return (the one you file in 2015). The health care penalty will be prorated based on the number of months you are uninsured and will increase each year; however, there's no penalty for a gap in coverage less than three months.

Who isn't required to purchase health insurance? Those with income below the IRS requirements for filing taxes, those who qualify for religious exemptions, and members of Indian tribes will not be required to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty.

Have questions? Get your healthcare answers on the TurboTax healthcare community. Reported by Huffington Post 22 hours ago.